.XXIX. Unknown Onward.
At Gerd's most recent request, most of those present in the chamber chose to remain silent and shift their eyes towards Arva and Kayr, who argued with the witcher but a few moments ago over information and the amounts of gold he'd be rewarded with once the contract was completed. While Galodo, Veya and Biua barely said a couple of words since they've gathered to discuss the witcher's contract.
Arva's first reaction had been the squint of her green eyes, followed by a subtle sigh, as if his demand simply amused her. 'We appreciate your help, witcher. But, nor I or my people trust you enough, so we would give an advancement on your contract...', spoke Arva, the head of the Norhi Tribe. While Gerd, knowing he overreached with his previous demand, wasn't surprised she declined. 'We aren't as trustful of foreigners as the Thyrs are, who had welcomed more than enough of you here. We aren't as curious or forward thinking as they are either, for we still have faith in our foremothers beliefs and customs, legends and myths. Even though there are similarities between our tribal laws and faiths, around these parts, most would argue we live in ignorance, isolated, yet we would reply that so do all the other tribes both northeast and southeast of here. For ignorance, proved, and seems to be the most common philosophy, with which we can preserve our old ways. Therefore, I mean no disregard to you or your craft, but so is my people's way.'.
To Veya's surprise whom aimed to haggle just a few moments ago, Arva's words didn't just explain the reason she declined Gerd's demand, but offered an insight to a Norhi Philosophy, that Arva's predecessors never had the humility to share. As her words calmed most of the people present in the room, and caught the attention of others. As all began to appreciate the openness and wise view, Arva had of her people, their history and tradition. While for Gerd, her words spoke of preservation mostly, of respecting the past and history of her people. Of her greatest concern, being the continuation of the work her predecessors had done, without erasing their mistakes or by taking away the glory of their triumphs, but instead embracing their flawed nature, and learn from it. She spoke with love of her people, portraying herself as a selfless leader, her mind entirely occupied by the welfare of her people.
'Master witcher, as it seems...', the elder began with a scent of pride and admiration as he looked to his right at Arva. 'You shall receive your payment once you've completed the contract. However, as I have noticed and was informed, you require equipment, as most of your valuable gear was lost during the incident that occurred within the Korath Desert. Thus, before you set out tomorrow, do visit the local armorers for the required pieces of equipment. As all costs will be covered by the employers.', the elder continued, then at the wave of his right hand, Kayr, leader of the Walahian tribe, handed one of her warriors a parchment that she delivered into the hand of the Elder sitting left of the eldest.
He cleared his throat standing up. 'Now, as the financial aspects of the contract have been settled, the other matter at hand would be the knowledge you've previously requested, master witcher. Please approach the table.', said the second oldest of the three, handing the parchment to Veya, who in turn gave it to Biua.
As soon as the scroll reached his hands, he opened it, and after a few moments of silence, he replied with a grin and a chuckle, as his face then turned stiff. 'It's blank.', he continued.
'You know your details, witcher.', the warrior standing behind Kayr said scornfully. 'We're not going to make his task any easier.', she continued with a nod towards Galodo, who didn't even show the slightest bit of concern, nor was he as absorbed as Gerd into arguing with them.
While the witcher, slightly annoyed by the lack of information he received, yet trying to not show his frustration, he set his eyes upon Arva, then Kayr. 'Is the child even alive ?'.
'Yes.', Kayr replied.
'How come you know that, but don't know his whereabouts ?', Gerd asked placing the scroll on the table.
Aware, that Gerd knew very little of their people, Arva proceeded to explain Kayr's vague answer. 'A priestess, sister of the woman accompanying the child, had multiple visions through out the years regarding the child. Visions that confirmed his wellbeing, yet neither of her visions revealed a location.'.
'Twin sister ?', asked Gerd, while Arva replied with a nod. 'I'd wager you've sent search parties too ?'.
'We did.', she responded. 'But, soon their efforts proved futile, and because our parties cannot cross into other tribes territories without raising suspicion, we had to resort to other ways...'.
'Such as ?'.
'There's little reason to feed you any more information...', Nerva intervened. 'For none would prove useful in locating the child. We understand this isn't going to be an easy task. If you concern yourself about finding the child, know that you are doing it in vain. For it's not your place to do so. You are supposed to aid him, and the child, is entirely his responsibility.', she continued, as she laid her eyes onto the mercenary at the end. 'For if your search takes long enough, and all your efforts will prove unfruitful and lead to nothing but frustration and outrage, you'll be witness to an old habit of his. For then he'll do as he always does, he will attempt to flee. That's what you should be concerned about.'.
To Gerd's disappointment, all the information given had been almost useless beyond the priestess's and boy's description and names, as the two tribes didn't plan nor could make their quest easier. Thus, by the end, he was just as clueless as before, yet with a slight admiration for the punishment Galodo was given, as a simple death sentence would've been merciful, when compared to sending him to pick the trail of a child and priestess they themselves couldn't find or perhaps be bothered to look for. And as Nerva pointed out, his main concern was assisting Galodo, while also acting as an executioner if such need would arise.
Thus, as all of Gerd's necessary contract details had been discussed, the meeting had been ended with a few words from the Elders. Followed by a few talks between the leaders, while The Elders themselves entered in a conversation with the witcher, regarding his trade, his thoughts on western society and certain religious groups found there. After which Gerd stepped out of Veya's home, and shortly found a place to rest. Not far from the stairs, right of the stone paved path leading to them, beneath a tree.
As a few moments later, Tara herself stepped out of her leader's residence and was heading towards him.
'I must say, you people have a peculiar sense of justice...', Gerd said as Tara sat near him and replied with a smile and a nudge to Gerd's right shoulder. 'Did you know they had in mind to hire me ?'.
'No.', she answered, watching as the soft afternoon breeze caressed the trees sitting on the opposite side of the path leading down the stairs from Veya's home, beneath which Arva and Kayr along with Nerva were. 'They must've thought of it, when word got out, that a witcher travelled with us. The interesting part is that The Elders considered their proposal, which in turn affected the outcome of the trial. If you hadn't been here, he would've lost his head by now.'.
'Veya knew nothing of the child ?', he asked watching through the tree branches as a couple of clouds traversed the blue sky.
'No. Hasn't been mentioned before.'.
'Why hide it ?'.
'I have no idea. There were multiple occasions in which such a matter could've been mentioned. They must've been unsure whether the child was alive or not. They must be sure of it now...', she replied, as on the paved path stretching from the house towards the stairs, Veya approached.
'Have you seen Biua ?', she asked while Tara shook her head in disagreement, as Veya continued with a sigh. 'It seems The Elders had decided to leave tomorrow, early in the morning. While, Arva and Kayr, along with their people, will remain here two more days to prepare for their journey back.', she said, as from the gate Maa was heading towards them. 'As for The Elders, all the preparations have been made for their departure, so there are no other matters with which any of us should be preoccupied with.'.
'About tomorrow, regarding Gerd's equipment-'.
'What of it ?', interrupted Veya before Tara could explain, giving a squint of her blue eyes, as she realized what Tara was about to ask. 'Biua offered to accompany him and translate if there might be the need to do so. You, have other duties...Anything else ?'.
'No.', Tara replied, giving off an impression of slight disappointment.
'Good.', Veya said, before Maa approached them. 'Where have you been ?'.
'Helped with the rest of the stuff we had to unload and place into storage. Why, was I needed here ?'.
'No.', Veya replied, then turned to Tara. 'Is there anything else ?', as she noticed Tara seemed lightly irritated.
'Nothing else.', she answered, calmly.
'Then, we'll see each other in the morning.', Veya said, shifting her attention towards Maa.
'Aren't you going to join us for a couple of drinks ?', Maa asked. 'Witcher ?'.
'He won't be joining you and nor will Tara or I, for we have still some matters to discuss.'.
Maa replied with a nod and a grin, which didn't pass unnoticed by Veya, who replied with a squint and a sigh, as Maa left towards the gate.
'What's there to discuss ?', asked Gerd. 'Are there other things I should be aware of ?'.
'Just the matter of where you'll sleep tonight...', she said, shifting her gaze to Tara. 'I leave this matter to you.', then with a nod, she left towards where Nerva and Arva were.
Tara, a bit surprised of how Veya laid this matter on her lap, stood up. 'Follow me.', she said, taking a few steps toward Veya's home.
'Where to ?', Gerd asked following after.
'You'll see, it's not far.', she replied, as they went past Veya's home, heading towards the side of the hill, where stretched upwards, were about a dozen of steps dug in stone, leading up the rocky hill behind the leaders home.
When they reached the middle section of the steps from beyond the tip of the hill, the thatched roof of a hut built out of stone appeared in sight. Near it where a couple of apple trees sitting both beyond a small bridge placed over a mountain spring, which led to the front door of the hut. From beyond which puffs of steam rose and disappeared while being picked up by the soft breeze.
'A hot spring ?', Gerd asked as they crossed the bridge over the mountain spring.
'Mhm. It'll help you relax and I thought you'd enjoy a bath as well.'.
'A bath does sound good.'.
'I thought so...', she replied with a smile, then opened the door.
The first chamber was similar to a small hallway, filled with about a dozen of drawers on the wall opposed to the door, separated in half by a doorway leading out of the hallway. Out of which, Biua came, naked, drying her hair with a towel, as she heard Tara's voice.
'Anyone asked about me ?', she said turned to Tara, who was unbuckling her belt.
'Veya did.', Tara answered, ready to take off her top.
'And ?'.
'We've nothing to be preoccupied with as of now.'.
'Hmm, good. It's about time.', she replied, then her attention was drawn away from Tara by a few clinks coming from her left. 'Witcher.', she said looking beyond the side of the drawers, as Gerd was in his trousers.
'Biua.', Gerd replied, locking eyes with her, then shortly resumed his attention to folding his shirt. 'So, this is where you fled in such a hurry ?', he said mockingly.
She replied with a smile, as she walked towards the witcher. 'What if I did ?', she asked sliding in between him and the drawers, while slipping her fingers beyond his unbuckled trousers. 'Don't tease me, witcher. When, I can so easily tease you back...', she continued biting her lower lip. 'Well, I guess I'll see you two in the pool.', she resumed then left the hallway.
Shortly, so did Tara. 'The baths are to the right.', she said before leaving.
Thus, once he was fully undressed, he covered his privates with a towel and advanced out of the previous hallway into another and to the right chamber, where the baths were. Unexpectedly, Tara was there as well, leaned forward as she reached for a stool to sit on, then turned to Gerd as she heard him enter. Witcher or not, he doubted any man would've found it easy to keep his eyes focused entirely on hers, as from time to time his would attempt to dip lower, and he knew they didn't do so without being noticed.
A few moments later, moments which both spent in silence. Not because neither knew what to say, but on the contrary, for there were plenty of topics they could talk about. Regarding the benefits of steam to one's health, the fondness they have developed for one another, and Gerd's need of an object with a reflecting surface. And probably, for the sake of continuing with the same futile exercise, he addressed the latter. 'Is there a mirror I could use for shaving ?', Gerd asked, sitting in the tub with a razor in his right hand, with a sudden aching desire to knock himself over the head and render himself unconscious, tilt to one side then sink beneath the water and probably drown.
'There's one on the cupboard behind you.', she replied while running the soap over her bare chest and shoulders.
Therefore, he stood up, covered himself with a towel, and got out of the wooden tub, turning around towards the cupboard, where on it he found the mirror.
'You are rather silent since we've come here. Is everything all right ?', she asked, while Gerd reapplied soap foam on his left cheek with a brush.
'It is, I just did not expect you to take me to a bathhouse.', he replied as he started to shave his right cheek. 'I might've expected a tavern...'.
She chuckled. 'I didn't think you would miss alcohol that much.', she said, washing off the soap foam from her chest and abdomen.
'I don't, I-'.
'It's fine. It's because of me, isn't it ? You expected to be alone in here...'.
'I don't mind you being here.', he replied.
'Therefore, you are pleased with me being here ?', she teased.
'I-', he said, then stopped and followed with a hiss.
Her reply was a soft smile and an almost inaudible giggle to most ears. 'I should've told you about Biua being here as well...', she continued.
'You two come here often ?', he asked resuming shaving.
'It's a bathhouse which has a hot spring outside, what do you think ? Of course we do. True, it's rather small, but far better than all the other bathhouses in Aeldúrr.'.
'Walt told me a few years before he made his way here. That your people are quite obsessive over bathing and cleanliness, and alike the Nilfgaardians consider body hair, and beards unclean.'.
'Obsess...', she scoffed. 'How could you not, unless you are a mine worker or pig farmer, one should be always concerned about their hygiene.'.
'Or a witcher.', Gerd added.
'Your mutations make you invulnerable to most kinds of sickness resulted from bad hygiene-'.
'Not immunity to infections of uncleaned wounds or unchanged dressings. It's is among the worst kinds of bothers a witcher could have aside from finding work. Because, if you won't tend to them, you might find your movement restricted later, and then, even a common drowner contract could be your last.'.
'Aren't your witcher potions supposed to be effective against infections ?', she asked as she stood up, and approached the tub.
'Depends on the infection, the wound and the amount of blood loss, which in turn can decrease one's tolerance for a potion's toxicity.', Gerd responded, while she came closer to him.
'Mhm.', she murmured softly, as she moved her index finger along three scars running diagonally on his right scapula. 'What kind of beast gave you this one ?'. she continued, as Gerd's back muscles shivered.
'A leshen.', he replied while carefully shaving the few remaining bits of facial hair beneath his chin.
'Was that a long time ago ?', she asked, as her right hand wandered even lower.
'It was...', he answered, placing the razor on the cupboard. As he felt her delicate breasts brush against his back, while her breath grew louder.
As then, she rested her forehead between his shoulder blades, while removing the towel, wrapping her hands around his lower abdomen. 'You even have a scar on your left butt-cheek...', she continued with a sweet chortle.
To which he replied with a chuckle. 'I know...', while she moved her head upwards, until her lips touched his back, as her fingers trickled downwards, until they wrapped around his shaft. He gave a shivering exhale, tightened his jaw and arm muscles, leaning his head forward, then attempted to turn. And once he did so, his eyes immediately locked on Tara's. She kissed his sternum, while his hand moved upwards along her hips, abdomen and soft breasts until his palm reached her left cheek, moving aside a few locks of hair behind her ear, as then his lips touched with hers.
She gave a soft murmur, as their lips parted, while her left hand, followed along the mark which crossed Gerd's right buttock.
'How about you ?', he asked turning her around. 'How about this one, running down your thigh ?', he continued, moving his left hand downwards along her spine, taking a handful of her right shapely buttock on his way to the mark she had on her thigh.
She chuckled. 'Fell while climbing, I was about ten or eleven. Scratched myself on the side of-', she replied, then stopped as she felt his left hand reach between her legs.
'Why did you stop ?', he asked, as he moved aside a few locks of her hair, kissing the right side of her neck, whilst lower, his fingers gently stirred in a circular fashion.
Tara sighed while turning. 'I don't know...', she replied, gazing into his eyes, as her lips softly touched the side of his mouth, while Gerd's left hand clenched around her right breast, whilst his right remained unmoved on her left hip.
It didn't take long for them to get into the motion of things. For after quite an amount of time they spent entirely preoccupied with the prelude and the exploration of each others bodies. Gerd firmly sat Tara onto the towel he wore, laid over the wet floor of the bath which was filled with a thin layer of steam, soon to become a vessel of their urges, Tara's delicate moans, Gerd's muffled grunts and heavy breathing.
'Can I ask you a question ?', Gerd asked laying on the floor next to Tara, resting his back against the wooden tub.
'Mhm...', Tara murmured with a thoughtful gaze directed towards the ceiling, as her head was leaning against Gerd's shoulder.
'Where am I going to sleep ?', he asked, as she turned her head right, facing him.
'Who said you'll get any sleep ?', she said, kissing his shoulder. Then with a chuckle she replied to his question. 'We, could sleep here...', she continued with a smile.
'I don't know about you, but I would prefer a bed...'.
'There's a bed across the hall.', she said moving on top of him, touching her forehead to his, followed by a deep sigh. 'I should get you in that pool...'.
'Why ?', he asked placing his right hand on her thigh and his left on her hip, all the while he started kissing her neck.
'Biua.', she replied, leaning backwards. 'Come.', she continued, standing up.
And as he seemed confused she proceeded to explain...
'This is her home. Alike me, she's one of the Tribal Guards, sworn to protect the head of our tribe. Therefore Veya offered her this hut. While I was offered a room in her home.'.
'So, it would be rude for me not to, since she welcomed me in her home, right ?'.
'Quite.', she replied, reaching to open the door.
'Should've told me that sooner...', he said, as then he picked his towel up and walked out of the bathroom into the hallway.
Tara chuckled. 'I was...distracted.'.
'Biua owns a bathhouse...', he said, as both he and Tara walked down the hallway, towards the thermal pool.
'This used to be the leader's home many generations ago, back when Laleh of Thyr was head of our tribe. While the one which, the current leader, Veya, uses as her home, was built by Laleh, about ten years before her passing, after the end of the war with the Haaklanders, and was used as the leaders home ever since.'.
'Your people loved Laleh, didn't they ?'.
'While she was alive, she was beloved and cherished by all of Zerrikania, all the tribes to the north, south and east of here prayed to the gods for her wellbeing. Her image is portrayed in the tribes banners, which we hold up with much pride.'.
'She was a dragon ?', Gerd asked with a scent of awe, as he never had the honor of meeting nor seeing one in his lifetime.
'Yes. Her lineage was the source of our tribes name, as the first who built a small village here, laying the foundations of Aeldúrr, was a dragon, called Thyrvarsttaveh, offspring of Zerrikanterment, the golden dragon, revered throughout this land. It is said that one day, she met a group of men and women, young and old, which fled from the savage lands of the far east. As she was treating their sick and injured, she heard stories of the pain they've suffered through to get here, the lives they've lost while escaping their captors, the infamous slavers which extended their operations northwest, where they attacked villages, killed the old, and took the young. All from the port they've made on the shores of the Eastern Sea. The vicious blood tribes, practitioners of anthropophagy. Which drained the bodies of blood, said to combine it with cow milk and drink it as if it was mead, using human and non-human skin and bones for tools. And aside from them, there were the foul creatures, the old and the new, spawn of The Conjunction of the Spheres. Therefore, she offer them this land, and through time and generations she became one of them, their leader, and our tribe was born.'.
'There had been no dragon since then ?', he asked gripped by the tale Tara just told him.
'Since Laleh, Aeldurr hasn't been home to one. No. She was the last of her kind in all of Zerrikania, as no other descendants of Zerrikanterment were believed to be still alive. She had no offspring, thus her lineage became extinct. Some tribes alike the Norhi consider it's due to the change in our beliefs, as most of the people believe such stories to be myths, some besides the elves in Yolwelkair consider that even Zerrikanterment is a myth.'.
'The Norhi know very little of our lands. I've seen their people's faces, when we opened the gates. For them development means we furthered from our roots, and what Laleh strived to achieve...', Biua said from the side of the pool. 'As far as I know Dragons used to visit their towns and villages too. They don't anymore, so how hypocritical must they be to say that we distanced from our traditions and customs.', she scoffed. 'Abandoned the old in favor of the new...'.
'West, is believed that dragons are extinct.', said Gerd, while Biua raised from the pool.
Biua snorted. 'At the same time, many in the west, believe vampires are susceptible to garlic and a stake through the chest...'.
Gerd replied with a chuckle, while Biua, walked over to a table not far from the pool, from where she picked up a golden goblet and drank from it. Then proceeded to enter back into the water, and so did Gerd and Tara. Gerd sat down, and with a grunt he leaned his back against the side of the pool then followed with a sigh.
'You ought to know...', Biua began, as she and Tara approached Gerd, who sluggishly laid his eyes on them. 'I made you a promise, that once the trial is done, you'll have plenty to drink...And fuck.', she continued, taking hold of Tara's hip, as then she made her way downwards to her cheek, which she grasped firmly. Reaching between her cheeks, sliding her fingers further forwards, as she then moved towards Gerd, sitting in his lap, reaching beneath the water, all the while Tara's lips were occupied with his...
The next day, come morning, Gerd, feeling both of his arms numb, and unable to turn, his eyes opened to a sight he hadn't seen in quite some time. With Tara to his right and Biua to his left, both using his shoulders as pillows, then with a yawn, he fell back asleep. As a few hours later, he was awaken by Tara's soft voice, as well as by the gentle grasp she had of a certain area.
His eyes opened with difficulty, accompanied by another yawn. 'Morning...', Tara said, as her lips lightly touched his. 'Are you well rested ?', she asked.
'I am.', he replied with a gravely voice. 'Biua ?'.
'She had a few duties to attend to, and asked me to wake you up...'.
He chuckled. 'Well, you did wake me, along with-'.
She moved on top of him. 'You'll have to leave soon...', she continued, followed by another kiss, while Gerd rolled left, going top.
For after they finished, Gerd got dressed and with another kiss, he left Tara at Biua's home, heading towards Veya's, where near the stairs was awaited by Biua herself. Who took him to the southern district, where he spent some good amounts of time glancing over pieces of armor, swords and sabers, while purchasing the required gear. As then both advanced northeast...
As close to noon, the witcher Gerd, following behind Galodo, left the town through the eastern gate, on horseback, accompanied or escorted, by Biua and Nerva.
'Witcher.', Biua said as they stopped after passing the stables outside the gates. 'Here...', she continued, throwing a pouch toward him. 'Veya wanted to reward you for the help you provided on our way here. I contributed as well. Tara too. It ought to prove useful, if you pass through a village or town.'.
'Thanks.', Gerd replied opening the pouch, allowing one coin in the shape of a rhomb, to fall in his palm.
'It's elven. They are quite rare outside of these mountains. One is more than enough to pay for supplies, horses or equipment.', Biua said. 'Keep them close. Away from him.', she added shifting her gaze toward Galodo. 'Whatever, edge- of this land you'll reach in search for the boy...Remember, that the east is most savage than all the others. And, if your search won't take you that way, it doesn't mean you shouldn't keep your guard up.'.
'Don't take it as an insult. But, do we even know the boy's still alive ?', Gerd asked looking at the Norhian warrior, as she turned to Biua for a moment.
'We would've known.', Nerva answered, certain, and with a tone that would leave one with little courage to make another inquiry. But not him...
'Alright.', he replied, placing the elven coin he had in his palm, back inside the pouch. 'What do you mean by, 'We would've known.' ?'.
Nerva's face slightly frowned, while Biua replied with a slight nod, and advanced toward Gerd with the intent to answer his question. 'One of their priestesses said so.', she said stopping near him. 'Quit being an idiot. As you were told by Veya before leaving, the Norhi tribe, wasn't and still isn't keen to share with us every detail. We- You, must make do, with what you have.'.
'Well, what I have, is as close as to having nothing at all.'.
'As a witcher, you must know, a couple of ways you could find a missing person...'.
'Mhm...', the witcher murmured. 'A few. But...'.
'Then-', Biua attempted to reply, before being interrupted by Galodo.
'Not to disturb your conversation. But, I couldn't help but overhear what you two were saying. As it happens, I might know someone that could help.'.
'Good.', she said, looking at the mercenary. 'Here I was, thinking you'd use this, as a mean to escape the death sentence given by The Elders.', she continued, staring down Galodo. 'If so, it seems like you two have found a lead.', she said, making a half turn, towards the gate. 'Shouldn't waste daylight, should you ? Travel safe.'.
After finishing up the discussion regarding details of the quest, Galodo had been sent to complete. Both Gerd and the mercenary left the town of Aeldúrr, and ventured northeast, toward the mountains, where as Galodo said, he knew a certain someone, that could help them have a chance at completing a task that at the time, seemed close to impossible. Curious, yet determined to complete this task, Gerd agreed to follow this lead. Which was their only and best lead, thus far...
After their departure from the town's eastern gate, Gerd continued to ride behind Galodo, until they reached the small farming village, east of Aeldurr, where he increased his pace and slowed down on his left side. 'Care to tell me where we're heading towards ?'.
'See those mounts to the east ?", Galodo said pointing toward a chain of green hills and barren mountains. 'That's where...'.
Looking toward the mountain peaks, some covered in snow, others piercing the clouds, Gerd remained silent, and vigilant. For this early in their journey to find the missing Norhi child, uncertainty, was plenty. Though, Galodo seemed fine, calm, somewhere in his being he must've been restless, perhaps even a slight crumb of rage and frustration. Because, after all, his days were numbered, his time further limited than before, was tied to the duration of his redeeming task to find the child.
Ahead, the stone bridge over the Naa'l appeared in sight, and beyond it, the eastern bank of the great river. And as far as Gerd was concerned, beyond that bridge, laid shaped into the green hill slopes, forests and valleys, the unknown.
However, this unknown, was relative.
A couple of hours passed, accompanied by silence, and by the sun's slow course west, that alike the two displeased partners, nonetheless, yielded progress toward their goal.
True. It did so, similar to the two foreigners traveling together, with regard to no unique end, through no unusual or unseen ways. No. It did so, with banal, old fashioned methods, forced upon it, burnt and beaten into it's being, casted as a prison of sorts. Bound by laws it cannot escape, same as all other bodies present on the vast and infinite realm, along with all the parasites, feeding and living of of it's precious glow. Doomed, caged, by a godly like force that enslaves everything. To which nothing is immortal and infinite, itself being tormented by the same curse with which it enslaves all there is. Dreading, the moments when it's roaring flames shall extinguish, when every single source of energy it can burn and harness runs dry. As then all it's beloved heat, dissipates into an endless sea of darkness, illuminated by others alike, lost at sea, yet, unobservant of it's passing. Awaiting a similar, or a rather more aggressive demise. Witnessing, helplessly, the strength which forsakes it's once fervent body, leaving it to collapse, to grow cold. To sink into a mere memory, of it's long passed glory, until it completely fades away, leaving behind a mere beam of light, a canvas of the past, a traveler, a fragrant, a ghost. Kept as a mere morbid trophy, by the infamous, merciless, and genuine deity, Time...
'So... How did you come across this someone, whom, you say is able to aid us ?', asked Gerd, as both he and Galodo, began to ascend one of the hills, as they followed a tight path through a forested mountain pass.
The mercenary gave a slight pull of the reins, slowing his pace, and while keeping his eyes forward he replied. 'I sought help a couple years ago. After half a year spent scouring the northern and southern lands, I found that none could nor wanted to help me. Thus, I've ventured all the way here, from Kovir, to the far east of the Blue Mountains...And one day, I came across a tribeless woman, and she steered me towards those hills. Saying I'll find what I seek here.'.
'Did you ?'.
'In a way.'.
'That doesn't answer my question...'.
'It wasn't meant to.', Galodo replied, setting his eyes onto the woods that had risen from beyond the hill's hump.
'Listen. If you want me to help, I have to know. You're never going to find-'.
'You think I don't know how difficult this is ? How poor my chances are ?', he replied, turning to Gerd. 'I do know.'.
'Well, I'm glad you do.', Gerd replied with a cutting tone. 'Yet, as I recall, I didn't ask whether you grasp the difficulty of your task or not. I asked for-'.
'I know what you asked.', he interrupted slightly annoyed, then, with a sigh he continued. 'As I said, we'll find what we seek past these hills into the mountains. Beneath the northeastern peaks, there's a forest, and within it, a glade. A witch lives there, she might help us.'.
'A witch... She might you say ?', asked Gerd, doubtful. 'How so ?'.
'She's rather private. Solitary. Usually, steers clear of folk, human or non-human, and their affairs. Even so, she helped me then. And she might be able to help me now as well...'.
'Did you ask her why did she do it ?
'I didn't.'.
'Alright. What did she ask for in return ?'.
'Nothing. She asked for nothing.'.
'Odd, as far as such things go...'.
'Meaning ?'
'There had to be a price...As far as I know, being gratuitous, isn't one of their qualities. When I asked if you found what you sought, what did you mean by 'in a way' ?'.
'That she did help me. And I found what I sought.'.
'You are awfully private about it...'.
'It has no importance to you.'.
'I hope it doesn't...But just for the sake of conversation, what if it does ?'.
'It'll be nothing that would concern you or me at the moment, nor have any repercussions on our current task. So, quit it. I'd rather have silence.'.
'Fortunately, you don't need to wait long for it. Death more then often tends to offer the silence you so dearly seek...', Gerd said with a mocking tone, awaiting Galodo's response, until he heard the sound of trees breaking from his left. As the mercenary shot an arrow from his crossbow which passed by the bridge of Gerd's nose and stopped into one of the closest trees, where an ever growing sound of rustled trees seemed to come from, rapidly. Seeing that Galodo reacted so promptly, and looked like he knew what was about to jump them from the trees, Gerd turned towards him.
'Run !', the mercenary cried, before shaking the horse's reins, galloping ahead.
As from the trees a rock the size of a cart's wheel flew out, grazing a few of the trees which changed it's trajectory, as the boulder missed the witcher's head by about a hand's length, startling his horse. As if one warning hadn't been enough, another flew out of the woods, breaking off as it slammed against a tree into tinier pieces, one of which scraped the neck of Gerd's horse, which in turn bucked the witcher, and almost hoofed him in the head if he hadn't rolled left, from where he quickly casted Axii to calm the horse.
All the while Galodo had made a run for it, and disappeared beyond the hump of the hill, as from the woods the rock throwing culprit showed up, accompanied by a roar. 'Humansess- Pass not thrrough h-here ! This Nabb's forrrest. This Nabb's pass. If you wants pass- F-Fee must pay ! Orr Nab's mash trrrespasser with big rrroock ! So ?!', the giant rock thrower said, rather screamed at the witcher, while stepping onto the road. 'What be, eh ?!'.